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| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations After-Action Review |  Operations Kaizen Event |  Operations Gemba Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For an improvement that still has to prove itself in everyday work, the method runs it through small learning loops. It connects planning, checking, and standardization into a repeatable learning mode. | After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement. | For a tightly scoped process segment with noticeable waste, the method bundles shared energy for change. It suits situations that call for fast learning loops and visible adjustments. | When there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 20-45 min | 0.5-5 Tage | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 3-12 | 4-10 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary | Kaizen Charter, Waste List, Improvement Experiments, Standard Work Update | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | LearningOperationsImprovement | LeanContinuous improvementOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations |